Old Barn Becomes A Modern Farmhouse

Photo by Northworks Architects + Planners
Click here and use the arrows for the complete tour. It is amazing. I hope your heatwave is over and you are enjoying the cooler weather. It is giving me the energy to complete some of the ongoing projects around my cottage. See you later. Enjoy your weekend. xo

Wonderful Staircase in Antique House

I love this staircase with twisty stairs and an interesting pattern on the flat spindles. The handrail appears to be bentwood. This appears to be a new renovation and I like it. via

Alastair Matchett: Rectory and Garden Renovation Cotswolds UK

After half a century of decline, a Cotswolds house was crying out for salvation.

Be still my heart.

When Alastair Matchett bought the Gloucestershire rectory, one wing was not in use; the roof needed replacing; the flagstones needed re-laying or replacing; re-plumbing, re-wiring, and replastering were needed throughout. But he did it all with designer charm. Photo: SIMON BROWN

Read the article in The Telegraph and see one more photo here.

New Roof for My Cottage

My roofers came on Wednesday in the bitter cold but it was their choice. I was skeptical at first but they work the year round so it was fine with me. They almost finished today and are coming back next week to complete the area where the man is working on the other side. I could not be more pleased. The crew was very hardworking and I like that. They came at 8:00 and left at 5:00 for three straight days. They did a first-class job too and I am so pleased. There is one section of my cottage to the left behind the picket fence that does not show the fifth level of my roofline. 

We had a bad wind and rain storm on the 5th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy in November and I had a leak in my roof that penetrated my plaster ceiling in the hallway outside my bedroom. My neighbor is a roofer and his men came over to try to locate the source. They had to come back a second time and told me my roof was in sorry condition due to improper installation. The guys that did it weren't roofers, but carpenters. I decided to replace it and agonized over roof shingles for about a month. I drove to see different jobs, went to new house open houses, watched YouTube videos, and finally made a decision. I am that way about almost everything. I do extensive homework first and am rarely disappointed with the final outcome. I am thrilled with the way my Certainteed, Grand Manor, Colonial Slate roof turned out. Click on the photo to enlarge. I am looking forward to the weekend to undecorate my house. See you tomorrow. xo

Stone Barn Converted to Guest Cottage and Library

All photos by Paul Massey

Wanting a place to display her treasured collection, Emma Burns, senior decorator at Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, transformed a converted barn at her country home into a sitting-room-cum-guest-cottage full of hidden surprises and witty details...tour the inside here.

Amazing Before and After 1820 Renovation

If you look closely, this cottage is still the same, just better. Most people would have torn it down, right? Aren't you glad they had the vision to see what it could be, again? I'm so happy for the cottage and the new owners. It's fabulous! 1820 Historic Mississippi Farmhouse read the article and see interior photos too. Stunning restoration! See many more photos at Country Living Magazine.

Unique Touches in a White Kitchen

Look at the strap hinges on the refrigerator door. The cabinet beside has rattail hinges like an old icebox. The hanging cupboard above makes this set up look like an old step-back cupboard. I love it all, don't you? I think it really is an old house -- just look at those wide floorboards. via

Delightful English Kitchen

A dog and an AGA cooker, perfect together. Read and see more about this kitchen in a cottage with a thatched roof here. Fawn Interiors’ Design Statement: “Our kitchen project for this thatched cottage (approximate age: 250 years old) had to solve the mix of old, rustic elements with modern appliances and materials. To tie the two together, we commissioned handmade kitchen cabinets in modern colors and mixed these with industrial lighting and fittings.”

Ancient Cotswold Cottage Renovation

Drink coffee or tea, wash clothes, and play with plants here.
Photo by Sims Hilditch

Sims Hilditch, The White Hart

Located in one of the most beautiful corners of the Cotswolds, we discovered a piece of English heritage once known as the White Hart. Dating from the late 16th century this Grade 2 listed building was one of many countryside pubs which had fallen into disrepair in recent years.

We successfully purchased the White Hart in 2013 and undertook a complete refurbishment with the aim to preserve the building’s history while re-purposing it as contemporary design studio. The White Hart embodies the Sims Hilditch design ethos and is the perfect location to get a feel for what we do.

Want the complete house tour? Click here.

Old House -- Before and After

Remember this old cottage near me that was abandoned for years? This photo shows it after Hurricane Sandy took down a tree that took off the front porch.

This photo was featured on my blog recently. The 18th century cottage could not be saved and a new house started going up after the property was finally sold.

The outside is finished! I took this photo yesterday when driving by. Interior work is still being done. The garages are on the right. I don't think this front door will be used very often which is a shame. I understand a family with three children will soon be living there. They must be very excited. The property was on the market for years and years. Thankfully, someone had a vision and the patience to wait for their dream house. So nice! I'll post another photo when the landscaping is finished. 

Atlanta Cottage: SOLD, Sight Unseen

This is a "leap of faith" story about q cottage in Atlanta, Georgia. The photo below is after the renovation!

When the author heard about a dilapidated cottage overtaken by weeds and kudzu in an Atlanta neighborhood, she knew it would become her her family’s home. So she bought it—sight unseen. Is your interest peaked yet? Read the complete story here. There are some interior photos too.
Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Powder Room Under The Stairs

Great idea. It even has a window. via

Kitchen Pantry Under the Stairs

This is a great idea, isn't it? Tour the rest of this renovated open kitchen in California here.

Restored Farmhouse in Georgia - Before and After

In a hurry this morning to go out in the cold rain to get sick again. Actually, I am trying my best not to get another cold on top of the one I still have. Although I am much better, I'm still not out of the woods. I feel as if I've lost the entire month of December so far on a personal level, but I've had a great month on a professional level. People still want to buy houses even though it's Christmas. Go figure!

Here's the link to read about this fabulous homestead in Georgia complete with an old smokehouse. The History: The farmhouse, the oldest privately owned residence in Forsyth County, is situated less than a mile from the Chattahoochee River (the original owners operated a ferry between Forsyth and Gwinnett counties). While the house was built first as a single-pen, hand-hewn log home, it was eventually enlarged to a double-pen dogtrot. By the early 1990s, the original interior clapboard walls, single pane windows, door hardware, and heart pine floors were still intact, but the home had fallen into disrepair.

Don't you love authentic renovation stories? I'm transfixed by this one! xo

Cottage Kitchen Continued

I could tell you wanted to see more of this fabulous cottage kitchen. via

Great Kitchen Before and After

Before -- A great old Chambers stove in a horrible kitchen.

After: -- WOW. The homeowner kept the kitchen's old Chambers stove and cabinets—now improved with new fronts and a coat of Benjamin Moore's Patriotic White—but jettisoned the Formica counters and dark backsplash in favor of marble and white subway tiles.

More fabulous before and after photos of many different projects here.

Have a great weekend! xo

Anne Decker Architects - Kenwood Renovation

See more -- 11 photo slideshow -- here.

1922 Cottage Bungalow, Before and After

How much do you love this farmhouse and detached garage?

I love the lookout tower on the side of the garage. The front is shown below.

This is the BEFORE photo.  Read the story of this amazing renovation by Moore Architectects and Designers here. There are more photos too.

Before and After Farmhouse Renovation

It's great, isn't it? Don't you love the enclosed sunporch in the front? You are in for a real treat as we go inside this charmer. Click here and then click on the first small pic, then use the forward arrow. It's another fabulous renovation by Crisp Architects.